Snow Queen Hardcover – March 1, 1980 by Joan D. Vinge
Book 1 of 4: Snow Queen
 
As the end of her third lifetime draws near, Arienrhod, the beautiful, ancient ruler of far Tiamat, clones several heirs and seeds them on different islands throughout her sea-dark world
 
The imperious Winter colonists have ruled the planet Tiamat for 150 years, deriving wealth from the slaughter of the sea mers. But soon the galactic stargate will close, isolating Tiamat, and the 150-year reign of the Summer primitives will begin. Their only chance at surviving the change is if Arienrhod, the ageless, corrupt Snow Queen, can destroy destiny with an act of genocide. Arienrhod is not without competition as Moon, a young Summer-tribe sibyl, and the nemesis of the Snow Queen, battles to break a conspiracy that spans space.

Interstellar politics, a millennia-long secret conspiracy, and a civilization whose hidden machineries might still control the fate of worlds all form the background to this spectacular hard science fiction novel from Joan D. Vinge.

The Snow Queen Series
The Snow Queen
World’s End
Summer Queen
Tangled Up In Blue
 
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